Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
kole
“You know, the diner is still open if you want real food.” Adella laughed, her eyes darting to me before looking back at Dani. “I think that’s your third serving.”
Dani ate another spoonful of the chocolate ice cream I’d gotten out of the freezer for her. She’d been at my bar for the last half hour, devouring ice cream like it was her last meal. Her gaze landed on me as she licked ice cream off the corner of her lip.
Fucking hell.
The hard-on I’d been fighting ever since she sat down sprang to life. I hadn’t been able to look at chocolate ice cream without thinking of her ever since I tasted it when I first kissed her.
“It’s my favorite,” Dani replied, dipping the spoon back into the small container. “I went years without having it.”
The way she abruptly stopped talking made me believe she shared that without thinking first. As I continued to wash the dirty glasses in the sink, Adella propped her elbows on the counter in front of Dani.
“Why?” Adella asked, sounding curious.
“Vegan,” Dani answered with a shake of her head. “I tried cutting meat and dairy out of my diet.”
I arched an eyebrow. “For how long?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. A few years.”
What I would give to get into this woman’s head.
Was she lying? I had no idea. But it sounded like she didn’t eat ice cream for as long as she abstained from sex.
Why? Every time I thought I was learning something about her, I only had more questions.
For the last week, she’d spent every night in my bed, but she was keeping me at arm’s length. Which wasn’t anything new.
Ever since I’d told her about the footprints at her window, she wouldn’t talk about anything personal. She didn’t hide her scars from me anymore but didn’t offer any more about her past. And I didn’t ask.
Adella scoffed, pulling my attention back to the conversation. “It’s impossible to be vegan here. Meat is how we survive the winter.”
They continued to chat as I peered around, catching Miles staring at Dani. He was sitting at a table with other interns, the frown on his face proving he was upset when she chose to sit at the bar near me instead of accepting his offer to sit with him.
It was loud and chaotic, just like every Sunday afternoon. Most people were off work today, and with all the fresh snow, there wasn’t much to do except come here and drink or sit at home. Every table was full, the crowd so thick that I couldn’t even see the pool tables in the back.
Adella moved farther down the bar to take more orders, and I took her spot in front of Dani. She finished her ice cream, setting the empty container down before reaching for her purse.
“Don’t,” I murmured loud enough for her to hear over the noise and music. “Same as drinks—you don’t pay.”
She smiled wickedly. “Because I’m sleeping with you?”
I set the clean glass on the towel before leaning over the bar. “Because watching you eat ice cream reminds me of the first time I tasted you in my pantry.” I couldn’t stop my grin when her cheeks flushed. “I’m going on break in an hour. Care to keep me company?”
She tilted her head. “Have I changed your mind?”
“Changed my mind about what?”
“Interns,” she stated simply. “It wasn’t a secret you didn’t like us. Yet, I think you like me.”
“I’ve only changed my mind about one. All the rest are still annoying.”
Her giggle was husky. “I’ll have to take a raincheck on keeping you company. I need to get back to the station.”
With a frown, I checked my watch. “It’s five on a Sunday. Harry has been here all day drinking.”
“We’re catching up on questioning people about Jillian’s murder,” she muttered. “Natalie was at the clinic all week, so we’re behind.”
It had been weeks since the murder, and none of the remaining butcher knives had appeared. No one else had been killed that we knew of. Even after all the blood in the forest, no one was missing. They were testing the blood to see if it was human or animal.
“What does she do?” Dani’s question had me looking back at her. “At the clinic.”
“Who, Natalie?”
“You’re the town bartender, Kole. You hear everything. So what does she do?”
I blew out a laugh. “She hasn’t told you?”
“She says she works as a therapist.” She paused. “But this place is small. Are there really enough people for her to talk to for eight hours a day?”
“She’s the only therapist.” I glanced at the man who stepped up beside Dani and reached under the bar to grab a bottle of beer for him.
“How many people work at the factory?”
The glass bottle nearly slipped from my hand, my heart skipping a beat. I grabbed the bottle opener, hoping Dani didn’t see my reaction. She was suspicious enough about the factory, and she really didn’t need to delve any deeper.
“Kole, how many?” she pressed when I handed the beer over the counter.
“A lot,” I grumbled, catching her curious gaze. “Enough to keep Natalie busy if they have issues to talk about.”
She pursed her lips. “You’re lucky I have to go back to work.”
“Why is that?”
“You don’t want me asking about the factory. Next time I ask, I’ll make sure neither of us are busy.”
She jumped off the stool and grabbed her purse before striding away.
Her large sweater slid off her shoulder, her puffy jacket nowhere to be found.
She must have left it at the station. I rounded the bar, chasing after her.
Most moved out of my way when they saw me coming, but I still had to push through the few who were already too drunk to be aware of their surroundings.
She let in a blast of frigid air as she exited. I was outside a few seconds after her, and when the door slammed shut, she glanced over her shoulder, not looking surprised at all to see me.
“Stop stalking me,” she sang out as she kept walking. “I’m literally going half a block. I don’t need protection, Kole. Like you said before—I have my knives.”
While her confidence only made me obsess over her more, I still lingered behind, keeping her in sight.
If she didn’t want to talk, that was fine.
It was already dark out, the dim streetlights and full moon the only source of light.
Even if the last couple weeks had been quiet, I had a feeling it wouldn’t last. Six knives were still missing, and the murderer was acting like it was a game. He would try to kill again.
Snow crunched under my boots, and a chill tore through me. The cold would only grow worse as the months went on. After living here for so long, I’d gotten used to it. But some days I found myself yearning for a sandy beach and the warm sun.
“See you at home.” She gave me a little wave before disappearing into the police station.
I mumbled a curse, running a hand over my hair.
I had no idea when she’d be going home. Usually, I had one of Harry’s guys call me when she was leaving for the day, but I was sure it was only her and Natalie left now.
And I had no intention of telling the town therapist about my unhealthy infatuation with the intern who lived with me.
I spun around, heading back to the bar, shaking the uneasy feeling creeping through me. I couldn’t watch her every second. She’d have to pass by my bar on her way home. Maybe I’d see her through the windows. If not, I’d come check once I left work for the night.
The wind howled, the air smelling like another snowstorm was going to hit tonight. This winter was going to be brutal. I had a bad feeling it would be brutal in more ways than one.